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Turmeric is a spice that people have used for centuries in both food and medicine. Many believe that it has benefits for the human body. Could turmeric be a new tool to help manage diabetes?

Turmeric is the common name for the root Curcuma longa. It is a bright yellow-orange spice that is a staple in traditional food dishes from many Asian countries.

Nowadays, some people use turmeric in cooking or as a supplement to improve their health. If scientists find sufficient evidence that it can offer health benefits, turmeric could play a role in medical therapies in the future.

In this article, we explore the role of turmeric in alternative and Western medicine and look at its potential benefits for diabetes management.

Turmeric and diabetes

Turmeric and its compounds may help with conditions such as diabetes and psoriasis.

Scientists believe that turmeric may have properties that help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which are factors that appear to play a role in diabetes. For this reason, they believe that turmeric may be useful for people with diabetes.

Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which appears to be the source of many of its health benefits. Most research to date has focused on curcumin rather than whole turmeric.

The authors of a review in the journal Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine compiled more than 200 research papers on the connection between diabetes and curcumin.

The results suggest that curcumin can help people with diabetes in different ways, which may include improving insulin resistance and cholesterol levels.

Managing glucose

Curcumin may help people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels.

The review paper above discusses studies in animals that have indicated that curcumin could have a positive effect on high blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity.

However, the authors also note contradictory research findings, which showed that curcumin had little effect on blood sugar.

Taking turmeric or curcumin by mouth may help reduce blood sugar to more manageable levels in some people, but more research in humans is necessary to confirm this effect.

Reversing prediabetes

Many studies have suggested that turmeric might also protect against the development of diabetes.

A study in Diabetes Care found that people with prediabetes who took curcumin for 9 months were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those taking a placebo.

The authors of the study also noted that curcumin appeared to improve the function of the beta cells that make insulin in the pancreas.

These findings suggest that including turmeric or curcumin in the diet may help people with prediabetes slow down or reverse the development of this condition.

Preventing complications

Compounds such as curcumin may also help reduce the risk or severity of some diabetes-related complications:

Liver health

Many people with diabetes experience liver problems, such as fatty liver disease.

In laboratory tests, rats with diabetes who consumed curcumin were less likely to have liver problems that those that did not.

Cholesterol and heart health

In a human trial, 63 people with acute coronary syndrome took a low dose of 45 milligrams (mg) per day of curcumin for 2 months. After this time, they had lower levels of both total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or "bad" cholesterol.

Diabetes appears to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Heart disease is the number one cause of premature death in people with diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Diabetic neuropathy

High blood sugar levels can lead to nerve damage, which doctors refer to as neuropathy.

Autonomic neuropathy affects body functions over which a person has no conscious control, such as digestion. Peripheral neuropathy can lead to pain, tingling, and a loss of sensation in the hands and feet.

Some studies have suggested that turmeric may help prevent certain complications of diabetic neuropathy, including:

Curcumin has also shown the potential to protect animals from diabetic vascular disease and, as a result, to speed wound healing.

When a person with diabetes has a wound, it can take a long time to heal, and the person will have a higher risk of infection than someone without diabetes. These factors can lead to severe complications.

Finding ways to help wounds heal could be helpful for people with diabetes.

In some cases, scientists have not yet confirmed that the benefits of turmeric that they have noted in animal models are transferable to humans, so more research is necessary.

Type 1 diabetes immune response

Scientists believe that type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system attacks insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.

A 2014 article noted that curcumin might adjust how the overactive immune system works in people with type 1 diabetes.

The researchers found that curcumin lowers the body's T-cell response, which is part of its immune response. This finding suggests that curcumin may help strengthen the immune system.

It could also boost the action of immunomodulatory medicines that doctors prescribe to manage type 1 diabetes.

A doctor will work with the individual to create a health plan that addresses their specific symptoms and needs. The doctor can also offer advice on the use of turmeric in food or as a supplement, but they may recommend consulting a dietitian for help with nutrition and meal planning.

add color and flavor to rice by stirring in a spoonful of turmeric before cooking it

use turmeric to add gentle spice to a vegetable stew

add turmeric to a smoothie

It is best to test the flavor by adding just 1 teaspoon of turmeric first. A person can then add another teaspoon if they want a stronger taste.

Outlook

Research suggests that curcumin, the main active ingredient in turmeric, can have a significant effect on some of the symptoms and complications of diabetes. However, most research to date has involved animals, and more human trials are necessary to confirm the benefits of this spice.

In 2017, one team of researchers urged caution over proposing turmeric as a cure-all. They called for more detailed studies, noting that because turmeric varies widely in quality, like other spices, it is difficult to carry out consistent tests.

Turmeric is not a medication, and it is not a replacement for any drug or lifestyle measure that a doctor may prescribe to treat diabetes. People should not use it as a substitute for any aspect of diabetes care.

However, under the guidance of a doctor, turmeric or curcumin may benefit a person with diabetes, whether they use it as a spice in cooking or take it in supplement form.

Q:

We hear that turmeric is good for many things. Can it really help with diabetes and stop it from getting worse?

A:

Based on the current evidence, it seems that curcumin could be beneficial for people with diabetes or those wanting to prevent diabetes.

The research is reasonably clear regarding curcumin’s powerful anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to improve insulin sensitivity and cholesterol.

Effective doses appear to range from 1,000 to 2,000 mg per day. It is a staple supplement in my regimen and one I recommend often.

Natalie Butler, RD, LDAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

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